[Gait, balance and independence rehabilitation program in elderly adults in a primary care unit].

Objective: to evaluate the effect of a supervised rehabilitation program to improve gait, balance and independence in elderly patients attending a family medicine unit.

Methods: we conducted a quasi-experimental study over a period of four weeks in a group of 72 patients older than 65 years.

Intervention: a supervised program regarding the risk factors for falling, and balance, gait, coordination and oculovestibular system, the modalities to be done two or three times a week in the primary care unit or at home.

[Contribution of electroneuromyography to the evaluation of neuropathy in diabetic patients].

Objective: To determine the type and the frequency of diabetic neuropathy, diagnosed by electroneuromyography, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and the correlation between the neuropathy diagnosis and clinical symptoms.

Design: Cross-sectional descriptive and correlative of patients with diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus, sent for electroneuromyography study in 2000. Study place: Laboratory of electrodiagnosis of the Unidad de Medicina Física y Rehabilitación Región Norte.

[Clinical guidelines for the prevention of falls in elderly people].

Demographic changes in our population are focusing on the health providers to prevent or minimize functional impairments resulting from the various chronic and multiple illnesses to which the elderly are prone. Because of that, we developed strategies that can help us to take decisions in order to identify the risk factors, and to prescribe preventive and rehabilitation programs. With this background, we organized an expert team to develop this guideline with evidence based on medicine methodology, and focus on the first level treatment prescribed by the general practitioner, with the participation of the health team and the support networks.